ONLY IN Canada, you say. Indeed, it's only in Canada that a bunch of underachieving soccer players who are ranked 90th in the world could, along with their equally underachieving national sport officials, chase Holger Osieck, former coach of Canada's national soccer team, into exile. Did Osieck commit professional harakiri? Not on your life. The highly respected coach was hired by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), the highest office in global soccer.

Being the gentleman he is, Holger refused to place any blame or criticism on the players of Canada's underachieving national team. Nor on the officials who didn't have the backbone to oppose the players.

FIFA had different plans for the German-born coach, who tutored in many parts of the world and once was assistant to Franz Beckenbauer, the Kaiser of German soccer. At any rate, FIFA embraced this valuable soccer expert and made him a member of FIFA's technical Committee.

"It happened several months ago that I received a call from the head of FIFA's technical committee, who offered me a job," Holger told me from his office in Zurich, Switzerland. "I then flew over for further discussions, met with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and became a member of the committee that is charged with the technical development of the game of soccer.

"I tried that system in Canada, but some people bristled at my direct approach. And when I stepped on a few toes, they didn't like it. But that's all behind me. Now I'm looking forward to my own apartment in Zurich and to the arrival of my wife, Elizabeth."

One of Osieck's first jobs was to evaluate players of the recently completed Euro 2004 tournament and help select the all-star team. He witnessed about 16 matches personally and watched some others on television.

"But there's a big difference between watching the game in the stadium and watching it on a TV screen," he said." Judging from personal experience, I think the standard of play in Euro 2004 was good, the soccer was attractive and the speed was impressive. Moreover, the matches were technically well-played.

"I liked several players such as Baros and Nedved from the Czech Republic and, from Portugal, Figo as well as the imaginative Ronaldo and the defensive standout Ricardo Cavallo. Of the Swedes I liked Larssen best and from France, Zidane, who's always a treat to watch. England's young Rooney could become a star in the future."

Speaking volumes about team play, Osieck made no mention of a player from the champion Greek side. Maybe that's what Osieck knew he had to do in Canada --create a very disciplined, team approach to overcome the lack of a true soccer superstar. However, I suppose that the nation (Canada) which has bred an athletic system were the inmates run the asylum couldn't accept the hard path needed to compete with the world's best.

After his disappointing experience in Canada, Osieck is now enjoying being in the hub of soccer in Europe, although he's in no way critical of Canada.

"I felt good in Canada and so did my family," he offered. "My son is still working in soccer in western Canada and he's very happy there."

It's unfortunate that Holger's talents were not appreciated by the people who run soccer in Canada--into the ground.

GROSSLY ABBREVIATED

Toronto's Jane Roos is trying desperately to raise $225,000 to help send 45 athletes to the Athens Olympics. The list of athletes who need financial help includes basketball players, rowers, paralympic cyclists, canoeists and sailors. Contact "See You In Athens" at 416-487-4442... Boxing great Muhammad Ali, hockey superstar Gordie Howe and soccer virtuoso Pele, were the top vote-getters among the first inductees into the World Sports Hall of Fame. Also inducted were great athletes such as the late figure skater Sonja Henie, boxing's Joe Louis, baseball's Babe Ruth and track's Jim Thorpe. The induction gala will be held in Toronto on Oct. 14.